Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today welcomed the Andrews Labor Government’s $3.2 million commitment to ensure the funding of Victoria’s 68 Landcare facilitator positions for another four years.
Facilitators perform the vital role of building community capacity, assisting communities to deliver local action, facilitate effective participation in Landcare activities and enable groups to become self-supporting.
Through the support of facilitators, more than 2,500 on-ground projects have been undertaken, almost two million native plants planted and more than 400,000 hectares have been revegetated, protected or enhanced.
The Andrews Labor Government will evaluate the Landcare Support Program over the next twelve months, in particular the Facilitator Initiative, to find opportunities to strengthen the role and scope of these positions and develop the best possible long term arrangements for Landcare.
Nominations for the 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards are also now open. The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of volunteers and Landcarers across the State and the importance of the environment to our communities.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Facilitator program has been fantastic in helping shape and support the local environmental activities of a number of Landcare Groups in Polwarth including:
– The Basalt to Bay Landcare Network
– The Making a Difference (MAD) For The Merri
– The Tarragal Landcare (Portland Southwest Coastal Action Network)
“This funding ensures they can continue their work.”
“The 2015 Victorian Landcare Awards are an opportunity to recognise the work
volunteers and Landcarers do in our community to protect the environment.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville
“A healthy environment provides the best quality of life for our communities.
Landcare facilitators support local groups, projects and initiatives across the
state to preserve the environment.”
“Local volunteers know what needs to be done to get the best outcome for their region.
We are supporting facilitators to empower locals to act for their environment.”
“We will work to improve and extend the coverage of this great program, making sure
that facilitators can continue to grow their role in our communities.”